Signaling device for automobiles



ma: L 1195@ c. R. HOLCOMB ETAL 295379334 SIGNLING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBI 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 3l, 3.948

FL U/D coz/PMN@ 30 C. R. HOLCOME ET AL SIGNALING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES mg.. 1, if@

Filed July 3l, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. l, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFiCE SIGNALING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES Clifton R. Holcomb, Tahleguah, and Harry F. Holcomb, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application July 31, 1948, Serial No. 41,806

Claims. (01." 17T-327) This invention relates to new and usefulim- .provements in signaling devices for automobiles.

`which is simple and compact in structure and may readily be attached to any desired type of automobile.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved signaling device of the character described which is adapted to be secured upon the top of an automobile where` it is out of the way and doesy not impede normal use or operation of the automobile, and which is compact so as to be unobtrusive and neat in appearance.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a signaling device constructed in accordance with this invention, the view being partly in elevation and partly in section to illustrate the structure,

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the signaling device mounted upon a vehicle top, and illustratingthe various positions of the signal arm,

` Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, isometric View of an automobile having the signaling device mounted thereon, p

Fig. 4 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken upon the line 5-5 of Fig. l,

Fig. 6 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken upon the line 6--6 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. .'7 represents the wiring diagram for the signaling device.

In the drawings, the numeral I0 designates a hollow supporting base for the signaling device. Viewed from above, the base is substantially recsaid base.

2. tangular in loutline, and is provided with a concave or dished-bottom I I which is curved slightly upwardly in both its longitudinal and transverse `axes so as toconform to the generally convex outline or conguration ofthe usual automobile top. Of course, the degreeof curvature :in both directions of the bottom II may vary in accordance with the vehicle upon which the device is tobe mounted, and in accordance with the par- Aticular location upon said top where the signaling device is to be disposed. However, it has been found most desirable to secure the device upon the forward, left-hand portion of the vehicle top, immediately above the automobile door opening into the drivers seat, and the curvature `of the bottom plate II should be such as `to conform to this portion of the automobile top.

` In Fig. 3, the signaling device, designated genferally by the figure A, is illustrated as `being 20A secured in the aforesaid position upon the top of anautomobile. Nearly all automobiles are provided with a small gutter or drain channel I2 which projects laterally from the side portions of the top I3 of the automobile and overlies the door openings of said automobile. For the purpose of securing the base I0 in position, a pair of clips I4 are. secured upon the left-hand side wall I5 of The clips I4 carry arcuate ears `or hooks I6 which engage over, and partially be- "neath, the drain channel I2 to anchor the base `against lateral and upward displacement. Suit- "able bolts Il extend through the `clips I4 and the ,side wall I5. and engage in bosses or thickened sections I8 provided `upon the inner side of the wall I5, whereby said bolts may be tightened to clamp the base securely in position upon the automobile top. For further securing of the base to the automobile top, a bolt I9 extends vertically `through the inner side or portion of the base ID,

and is screwed into the material of the top I3. In this manner, the base is rigidly and securely mounted in the desired position upon the auto- Vmobile top with only one opening, that :for the bolt I9, being necessarily cut in said top.

`A relatively large, semi-cylindrical pocket or recess 20 extends longitudinally o the upper side `of the base I0 and receives a hollow, cylindrical ,housing 2l which encloses the driving motor and control mechanism for the signalingdevice. The

`forward end 22 of the housing is preferably hemispherical in outline to increase the streamlining of the housing and to enhance its appearance. It is obvious, however, that the housing may be made in any desirable or suitable shape so long as it may be secured upon the base III ativii and will accommodate the necessary signaling mechanism. Short bolts 23 extend through the material of the base l into the shell of the housing 2| for securing said housing in place upon the base, and again, any desirable or suitable securing means may be used for the latter purpose.

The forward portion of the housing adjacent the rounded forward end 22 receives a suitable electric motor 24, and it is preferable that this portion of the housing form the shell or casing for said motor with the field coils 25 of the motor being secured directly to the inner wall of the housing, and the rotor 26 being suitably journaled within said housing for revolution within said field coils. A relatively thick, transversepartition 27 extends across the housing 2| rearwardly of the motor 24, and the shaft 2.8 of the motor extends rearwardly through said partition, being rotatably supported therein by a combination bearing and oil seal ring 29. A circular recess 3@ is formed 'in the rearward face "of the partition "2'7 concentrically with `respect to rthe `shaft 28, -said recess'havingits marginal or peripheral por- "tion curved radially outwardly and rearwardly `with respect to thepartition 2l. 'Afluid coupling 'driving rotor orimpeller'32is disposed withinth'e recess"30 and'secured uponthe projecting'en'd vof the shaft '28 which 'terminates slightly shortof th'e rearward side oflthe rotor`32. The rotor is `formedof a circular'pla'te 33 having'its periph- 'eral portioncurved'outwar'dly and rearwardly so 'as to be complementaryv in outline'to'thes'hapeof the recess 3G. plurality of radialvanes 34 'are positionedperpendicularly `to -the plate 33 and 'extend'radially outwardly .from the'shaftto the curved'marginal .portion 'of 'said' plate "33. 'Being secured upon th'e shaft 2'8, the 'impeller or rotor 32 is revolved whenever 'themotord is operating.

A second 'p'artiti'on"35, similarin'shape to "the partition $27, 'and carrying a forwardly facing recess "3E, similar "to the 'recess 3U, is 'provided .rearwardly Vof the 'partition 21, the "peripheral ,portions ofthe partitions abutting one "another and being secured "togetherby suitable bolts 31 with any desired type of "gasket or p'ack'ing'therebetween. With'thisstructure therecessesii' and "3'5 coact to form a 'iiuid 'coupling 'chamber AvB having the shapeof va relatively flat cylinder with a rounded'periphe'ral portion. Aiiller plugfn'ot shown) maybe provided at 'any suitable'point to ll'this chamber with "hydraulic'fluid, A 'driven Vsha'ftEi extends axially of the recess 36ar1d`nas 'its opposite end projectingrearwardlyifrom Athe partition'35- 'A'fluid ccupling'driven'element 39,

's'imilar tothe impeller"32,is'mounted uponthe V The rearwardmost'portion of thehous'ing 2l provides an enclosure "for'the signal control 'elements and .is secured'in any"desirable"m`anner'to 'the vpartition'35. The shaft38 'is'axially alined .withfthesha'ftZS, butthere is no physical pon-A nection betweenthe two shafts. The 'ChamberB 4. is filled with a suitable hydraulic uid, such as light petroleum oil, the rotation of the impeller 32 acting through the medium of the oil within the chamber B to rotate the element 39 in the usual manner common to uid couplings. The shaft 33 extends longitudinally of the rearward portion of the housing 2l and projects through the rearward wall d5 thereof, a suitable bearing 4G being provided in the `wall i5 for rotatively supporting the rearward portion of shaft 38. A splined hub 41 is secured upon the shaft 38 rearwardly of the wall 45 and receives a signal arm Y48, Awhich is provided with a counterweighted hub 49 and a reducedvshanl; 5D extending from said hub diametrically opposed to the counterweight thereof. A relatively long, rectangular ag 5| `extends fromlthe 'shank E!) and forms the signaling portion of the arm. t is obvious, that the flag may be painted in any suitable and distinctive color so as to attract attention, or it may be provided with suitable'lightsfor night operation.

y'Initsnormalposition, the arm ^48 is retracted and extends substantially horizontally from the shaft 38 `across vthe top `I3 of the "automobile so as to be pointing toward 'the right-hand side thereof. Infthis position, thearm issupported 'upon an/upstanding fork"52 "which is secured to the right-hand side of the base I0 and eengages the reduced"s`han'k '50 of "said arm. :When the `motor yis actuated, the impeller -3'2 is driven and by hmeans `of the hydraulic *fluid *Within Ithe 'chamberB,` the element '139 and shaft :38 are driven. The rotationof the ymotor is counter- Acloz'zlzvs'zise as 'viewed from the rear, and this c'ounterclockwise rotationof the motor resultslin 'counterclockwise'rotation 'of the Varm '118. Such rotation continuesuntilthe-movement of the arm is stopped or impeded by suitable mechanism.

The three'signaling ,positions of the arm are :illustrated inl dottcdlines in Fig. 2 ,these positions `corresponding -rto the universally VVaccepted Varm signals for "automobile drivers. y'The lowermost p'ositi'onC,'which `indicates slowing-downI orstopping of the vehicle, is vobtained by providing La pin"53which is Nsecuredin the marginal 'portion of the rear wall 45 of the housing l2l `-and-pro- 'jects vrearwardly therefrom so as to lie in "the path-fof rotation'of vthe iarm 48. The pin 53 is positioned upon rthe lower .and lefthan'd yporti'on' of ithe lwall "45, Aas viewed from the Erear, so as -to Apermit 'the Jarmy to swing downwardly in =its -counterc'zloclrwise rotation below a :horizontal =pos'iti'on, but preventing the arm from striking the top I3 or the drain channel I2"of vtheauto mobilebody; iUpon actuationbf Etheldevice or the giving'of lthis' signal, themotor 24-starts,-and, through the fluid coupling lwithin the lci'iamber B, rotates the arm-43 'in-a'countercleckwise'directionuntdsaidarm strikes the pin The varm 'cannot rrevolve `further and -is iheld "in Vthis position by the pin. `\-Iowever,the motorfcon" r`tinues "to Vrotate 'and through Cthe fluid 'coupling with lvthe ucl'ianfiber "B -exerts a :constan-t I'counterclockwise torque upon the shaft 38, therebyhldingithe armagainstlthepin53- A coiled spring 53 is positioned `within thebox "4I 'for returning 'the'arm to its right-:hand or retracted position. *As illustrated in "Fig. 5, the spring *5'4 is `spiraled :in a "counterclockwise -di rection and has Hitsinner tend securedtothe shaft 38. "The outer end'E'B vof the spring is 'secured to the .inner marginal wall of the'boxf'l. "Thus,` as .the motor rotates the .shaft 38 in its counterclockwise direction, the spring* 5:4 "is 4wound and 'energy'iis 'stored Atherein *for returning 'the aarden "signal 'arm l to itsretracted; positionL-"c` As soon as the `power supply` to. theflmotor'lZd is inter.- rupted and the*motorlfnollongeriexerts axcoun- `tercloclrwise torque upontheshaitthe spring 54 functions torevolve `thelshaft 38,1 and therefore the arm l 48,- in a `clockwise .direction and` reuturnstsaid arm toits retracted position `wherein the shank 50 engages the upstanding forl-:52. In each of the` signaling.. operationsdescribed .hereinfthe spring` 54 `iunctionsto returnthesig- `nal arm to `its retracted or, inactive position; as

soon as the power `to the electric motor is shut 01T. .l ll L l,

`A pair of solenoid 'coils aremountedwithin the rearward `portion ofthe housing 2 I., 4as best shown in Figs. l and 4the lower coilll,r being utilized for left-hand turnsignalsand thelupper coil 58 being employed for themakingof ,right-hand Vturn signals. The coilslabutpthe,rearwardwall 45 and carry suitable plungers` 59 whichthe coils are adapted toproject rearwardly through openings 6D in saidgwall, 45. The plungers,` 59 ,carry .travel limiting flangesl upon their` inner ends,

and are constantly urged toward the partition 35 by suitable coil springs 1,62 extending between ,the l caps 6| and thezheadsofthe bolts 53, The solenoid` coils Vi'a'iand- 58am of: sumcient strength to overcome the force exerted by the springs 62 and project the plungers 59 rearwardly through the openings 5D when said coils `are actuated by the application of a suitable electric current.

For coacting with the rearward ends of the plungers 59, the signal arm i8 carries a forwardly extendinCr ear 63 along the upper edge of its reducedshank 5t. Theear lit r,thus extends from the signal arm toward the ,rearward wall l5 of the housing 2l and is adapted to engagethe rearward ends of the plungers` 55, when thelatter are projected rearwardlyby'the` coils 5'l-and 5B. The position of the arm i8 for a left-hand turn signal is illustrated in dotted lines at D in Fig. 2, and it will be noted that the radial disposition oi the coil 5l is such as to position its plunger 59 in the proper location for engagement with the ear 63 when the arm 4S has been rotated in a counterclockwise direction to the horizontal plane extending to the left from the shait 38. The projecting plunger 5S of the coil 51 thus func" tions in much the same manner as the pin 53 to position the arm 48 and to prevent its further rotation under the torque being exerted by the motor 24. Of course, as soon as the electrical power to the device is shut oi, the coil 51 is deenergized and permits the retraction of its plunger 59, while the spring 54 functions to return the arm to its retracted position, shown in full lines in Fig. 2. In a similar fashion, the upper coil 53 is positioned so as to halt the counterclockwise rotation of the signal arm after it has reached the proper position, indicated in dotted lines at E in Fig. 2, for signaling a right-hand turn. In accordance with standard practice, this position is reached when the arm is projecting outwardly and upwardly to the left of the vehicle. Again, upon deactuation of the coil -58 and the motor 24.

the plunger 59 of the coil 58 is retracted, and the spring 5d returns the signal arm to its retracted `solenoid coil 5l. .aregrounded Withthisstructure, the switches `connectedto the solenoiddcoil` 58, and the. ,second terminal of the. switch Bii is` connectedto the The Opposite sides of `both coils 56 and 6G', individuallycontrol the operation of the solenoid-coilslz. and 58, but `the closing `of either of said switchesresultsin actuation ofthe motoria, A .third switch, `of the single pole.

single throw varietyis ,connected between the conductor 55 and one ofythe wires 6l, and .the

.closing of` this switchzresults in actuation of 4the motor 213 alone..` fIfdesired, the usual stop-light .switch B which is to fbe found innearlyall modern automobiles, mayalso be, connected between the conductor 65 and one of the wires;li whereby the motor Ell is actuated at the same time as the stop-light (not shown) of the automobile.

-In the `operationof this` signaling device, the switches `liti, 6&5' and 5i! are mounted within the driving compartment so as lto be convenient `to the operator oi theautomobile. `When the driver intends to slow or stop `the automobile, he may rely upon thepreviously existing switch S9, or `he may employ the switch `68 Vto give such slowing or stopping signal. Upon closure of the switch (it, the motor 24 lis placed in operation thereby causing the arm llt to be rotated or revolved in a counterclockwise direction, `as viewed fromythe rear of the vehicle.` `Since neither of `the coils 5'! and 58 have been actuated, the rotation of the arm continues `until it engages the. pin ttwhich holds the arm in position C (Fig, 2)` indicating for the benefit of following `vehicles an intention `to 4slow or lstop. The, switch 68 will `remain closed `until opened by the driverpand themotor 2t' will continue to revolve thereby exertingta continuous counterclockwise torque upon the shaft 38 and the arm G8 by means of the fluid coupling within the chamber B. This continued rotation of the motor is possible by reason of the fact that the impeller 32 may slip or rotate with respect to the element 39. Thus, a constant torque is exerted even though the shaft 38 is held against movement, and the motor 24 may continue to revolve and will not be harmed due to blockage of its rotative movement.

When the driver of the automobile wishes to terminate the stop signal being given, he opens the switch 6B which causes the motor 24 to cease operating and permits the spring 5d to return the arm d8 to its retracted position. This reverse revolution of the arm is again made possible through the slippage of the fluid coupling. It is pointed out that the stop light switch 69 is normally of the spring-pressed type, and is closed only when the brake pedal is depressed. Thus, when the switch 69 is relied upon to give the stop signal, such signal is eiectuated so long as the brake pedal is depressed, but the signal arm is automatically retracted as soon as the brake pedal is released. Thus, when it is desired to give a continuous stop signal regardless of depression or release of the brake pedal of the automobile, the switch 68 is preferably employed.

When the driver of the automobile desires to give either a left-hand or a right-hand turn signal, he closes either the switch 6G or the switch E6. The closing of the switch 68 energizes the solenoid coil 58 so as to project the plunger 59 of that coil rearwardly from the plate 45 into :size-shape and materials, as well as inithevdetailsv-of the, illustratedconstructionlmayrbefmade, `Within the :scope of Lthe appended claims, with- -out departing :from *..the vspirit .of `:the invention.

What we claimand desireto secure by Letters 1-Patent is:

1. A signaling devieefor .automobiles including, an elongate v-oylindrical housing, @an electric imotor, one end Vof fthe y'housing fforming `sansa-sing `rvfor themotorfsaid motor having 4asha'ft` extending longitudinally of the housingianiindicator .v

-armfshaftextendingthrough fthe opposite-end of the housing Aand @having a v.portion :projecting r-therefrom, "an indicator varm carried Adipen :th-'e projecting lportion of fthe Cilatter zshaf-t, -and a yieldabledriving -connectionlin the :housingj-be- `tween the --motor #shaft fand :the .indicator arm .2. .Asignaling device 1a-s '-*set forthinelaim *1, *wherein the motor fsha'f-tland Y*the `,indicator :arm yshaft are axially I alined.

3. vA signaling device las' set y-forth -vinfclaim 11,

elements carried -within-thefhousing-and#adapted lto be projected therefrom l-intothe rpath fof rotation of fthe indicator larm, andnlectro-magnetic .means for 'projecting said elements from @the fhousing.

:Ay signaling device :as set iforth Ain .claim 1,

fandiafconvolute ySpring :within -Lthe housing encircling `:the indicator :arm shaft and atlixed thereto, .theffree outer end ofthe spring fbeing connected to ttheshousing so Tas to tenditolrevolve `theindicator .arm'shaftdn a direction opposite yto that 1in wwhich :said arm isrevolved lby 'the .motor.

.5. FA .signaling .device *,for automobiles including, aan y.electric fm'otor :having .a housing and :a

`motor shaftymeans for mounting the:motorfupon ,anxautomobile with .the :motorzshaft substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the automobile, the motor: housing :being extended from'one lLend ofrthe motor, an indicator larm :shaft in fthe extended Yportionrof the .housing inkaxial .alinement with Lthemotorsha'ft 4and projecting :from

the housing, an indicator arm :carried lby .the -projecting portion of .the latter shaft, :a fuid coupling in ythe.l extended portion `of V.the housing 'between the vmotor shaft -andthe indicator arm shaft connected tofsai'd shafts, and a spring lconnected between the housing and ythe indicator arm shaft resisting revolution ofthe latter-shaft through the uid coupling.

CLIFTON R. HOIJCOMB. HARRY FHOL'COMB.

REFERENCES :CITED The following references are of record'in the file .of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,472,186 `M01`rs ..-Oct.'30, T1923 "1,654,943 Nott Jan..3, 1928 441,669,597 Burson-et al May 14, 1928 f1,737;631 4Andersen Dec. 3,'1929 `20`0.4,289 -Martinez June 11, 1935 

